ICPC probes C’River lawmaker over double salary

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has commenced investigation into an allegation that a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Dr. Itam Abang, received double salary.

The ICPC said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, that she allegedly received “double salary simultaneously from both the Federal Government of Nigeria through the University of Calabar and the Cross River State Government through the state’s Rural Development Agency, where she was holding an appointment as Director, Health Infrastructure.”

According to the commission, the suspect filed for an injunction before a Federal High Court in Calabar to restrain ICPC from investigating her.

However, Justice I. E. Ekwo held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit and directed that the case be transferred to the High Court of Cross River State for hearing and determination.

Meanwhile, Justice Festus Ntong of Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has declined an application to stop ICPC or any other federal anti-corruption agency from investigating allegations of corruption involving the finances of the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

The Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, had filed a suit before Justice Ntong, seeking the court to restrain the ICPC or any other federal anti-corruption agency from investigating the government of the state for alleged corrupt practices without prior authorisation by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The Akwa Ibom State AG had argued in the suit that a federal agency would be acting beyond its powers if it investigated a matter involving an official or agency of the Akwa Ibom State Government.

He therefore joined the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the Akwa Ibom State Government as respondents in the matter because, in his opinion, they were not exercising their power and rights to prevent a federal agency from encroaching on their jurisdiction. Others joined as respondents in the suit included the Inspector-General of Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and some banks.

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